What is Forest Preschool & What are the Benefits?

Forest preschool, a nature-based education model that originated in Scandinavia, has gained widespread acclaim for its unique approach to outdoor learning. By immersing children in natural settings, such as nearby forests, meadows, or local parks, forest schools encourage hands-on exploration that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural world.

This child-led, experiential approach nurtures the whole child—supporting their social, emotional, and cognitive development—while promoting a sense of wonder and discovery. Through unstructured play and multi-aged interactions, young children engage with natural materials, learn conflict resolution skills, and develop critical thinking abilities that form the foundation for lifelong learning.

Forest schools, including programs like Shoals Forest School and Little Mountain Forest School, create welcoming environments where children learn at their own pace, guided by trained educators who value the rhythm of the day and the importance of learning through nature-based experiences.

What is a Forest School for Preschoolers?

A Forest School for preschoolers is a nature-based education model that allows young children to spend much of their school day learning and playing outdoors in the natural environment. In these immersive settings, children explore natural settings such as forests, meadows, or local parks, where they can engage with natural materials, interact with multi-aged peers, and develop a deeper connection to the natural world.

Guided by experienced preschool teachers, children are encouraged to follow their child-led interests, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills through unstructured play. This approach nurtures the whole child—supporting their social, emotional, and cognitive development—while promoting a sense of wonder and curiosity about their surroundings. With a strong focus on experiential learning, forest preschools offer children the chance to develop essential life skills, such as conflict resolution, teamwork, and independence, all within the rhythm of a welcoming environment that values outdoor exploration.

What Age is Best for Forest School?

Forest schools are designed to cater to young children, typically ranging from early childhood to primary school age, with most programs focusing on children between the ages of 3 to 7 years old. This age range is ideal for fostering the whole child approach, where children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development is nurtured through nature-based education and outdoor learning experiences.

However, some forest schools may extend their programs to older kids, offering specialized programs for children in later primary school years or even middle school. These programs often focus on experiential learning, critical thinking, and more advanced nature-based education activities that promote deeper connections with the natural environment.

The ideal age for forest school is not strictly defined, as it largely depends on the individual child’s developmental readiness and interest in child-led play and outdoor activities.

While younger children, particularly those in the early years, tend to benefit significantly from the hands-on exploration and sensory-rich environment that forest schools offer, older children can also thrive in this setting as they continue to develop their problem-solving and collaboration skills through multi-aged interactions and unstructured play.

For young children, forest school provides a safe, supportive space where they can engage in outdoor learning and explore natural materials at their own pace. These early years are crucial for fostering a sense of wonder and cultivating a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors. At this age, children develop foundational skills in social-emotional development, physical coordination, and academic foundations through real-world experiences and immersive learning.

However, older children in forest schools benefit from building on these skills and can deepen their understanding of environmental literacy, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Forest school programs that serve children across different age groups often have the added benefit of multi-aged peer learning, where older children mentor younger ones, promoting leadership skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility toward others.

Ultimately, the best age for forest school is one that aligns with the child’s individual learning styles, developmental needs, and personal interest in outdoor learning experiences. Whether your child is just starting out in early childhood or is transitioning into elementary school, forest school provides a dynamic, enriching environment that supports each child’s growth and curiosity at their own pace.

What is Another Name for a Forest School?

Another name for a forest school is “nature school” or “outdoor school.” These terms are often used interchangeably to describe educational programs that take place primarily in natural outdoor settings, such as

forests
woodlands
meadows
or other natural environments.

Benefits of Forest Preschool

Forest preschools provide a multitude of benefits that support the holistic development of young children. By immersing children in the great outdoors and offering nature-based learning experiences, these programs foster deep connections to the natural world and provide invaluable opportunities for growth across various domains.

Nature-Based Learning

One of the greatest benefits of forest preschools is the opportunity for nature-based learning. Children engage with the natural environment by exploring forests, meadows, and other outdoor settings, allowing them to develop environmental literacy and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Through hands-on experiences with natural materials, children develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and an appreciation for the environment that lasts a lifetime. These outdoor explorations spark children’s innate curiosity, encouraging them to ask questions, make discoveries, and build a strong, personal connection to nature.

Social and Emotional Development

Outdoor play and exploration are powerful tools for fostering social and emotional development. As children navigate the challenges of a multi-aged group, they practice conflict resolution, collaboration, and communication.

The unstructured play environment in a forest school allows children to build emotional resilience, learning how to regulate their emotions and develop empathy through their interactions with peers.

These experiences help children develop stronger social skills, laying the groundwork for positive relationships in the future. By spending time outdoors with nature-based play, children also develop a sense of wonder and confidence in their ability to solve problems and overcome obstacles.

Physical Development

Forest schools are exceptional at supporting physical development. The outdoor environment offers countless opportunities to develop both gross and fine motor skills. Children climb trees, balance on logs, and engage in imaginative play using natural objects like sticks, rocks, and leaves.

These activities not only build strength and coordination but also promote spatial awareness and body control. The constant movement and engagement with the physical environment contribute to healthy growth and development, fostering a love for physical activity and an appreciation for nature’s playground.

Academic Foundations

Through nature-based learning experiences, children at forest preschools also develop key academic foundations. In the midst of their outdoor explorations, children develop language arts, math, science, and social studies skills in a meaningful context. For example, they might count leaves or measure tree trunks, building foundational math skills.

By observing animals, plants, and weather patterns, they gain a deeper understanding of science and the world around them. These hands-on, real-world experiences help children make connections between abstract concepts and tangible, real-world examples, sparking a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

This type of experiential learning fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, helping children build confidence in their abilities to learn independently and pursue their own interests.

In sum, the benefits of forest preschool go far beyond just learning about the natural world. The combination of nature-based education, social-emotional growth, physical development, and academic foundations provides a well-rounded, enriching experience that prepares children for success in school and in life.

The forest school ethos encourages child-led play, nurtures a deep connection to nature, and supports the development of the whole child in a welcoming environment that values exploration and curiosity.

Forest Preschool Curriculum and Learning Approach

Forest preschools utilize an emergent curriculum approach, where learning emerges organically from the children’s interests, inquiries, and interactions with the natural environment.

Teachers act as facilitators, supporting children’s exploration and inquiry while weaving intentional teaching practices into outdoor experiences.

Nature-based learning experiences provide a rich context for developing language arts, math, science, and social studies skills, fostering a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

Key Features of Forest Preschool Programs

Forest preschools typically operate on a weekly rhythm, with full-day classes held in all weather conditions, except for extreme circumstances.

These programs prioritize small class sizes and maintain high staff-to-child ratios to ensure individualized attention and supervision.

Key Principles of Forest School

Forest Schools are grounded in several key principles that create a dynamic, nature-based educational experience. These principles are designed to support holistic child development while fostering a lifelong love for learning through nature.

Outdoor Learning

At the heart of Forest School is a deep commitment to outdoor learning. Children spend their days in natural environments such as forests, meadows, and woodlands, engaging in activities like tree climbing, building shelters, observing wildlife, and participating in nature-inspired games.

This immersive experience fosters a profound appreciation for the natural world and cultivates environmental literacy. Through firsthand interaction with nature, children learn to respect the environment, develop a sense of responsibility toward it, and grow an intrinsic connection to the outdoors that extends into all areas of life.

Child-Led Activities

One of the fundamental principles of Forest School is child-led activities. The learning experience is designed to put children in charge of their own exploration, allowing them to follow their interests and curiosities.

Whether it’s investigating a nearby forest, experimenting with natural materials, or engaging in playful exploration, children are encouraged to take initiative. This autonomy fosters a sense of independence, self-confidence, and ownership of their learning.

By guiding their own activities, children also develop problem-solving skills and learn to navigate challenges in a collaborative, supportive environment.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is at the core of the Forest School approach. Instead of traditional classroom settings and rote memorization, children at Forest School learn by doing—whether they’re exploring local nature play groups, creating nature-inspired projects, or discovering the basic principles of critical thinking through hands-on activities.

Learning happens through direct experience, trial and error, and deep engagement with the world around them. This method of learning encourages children to think critically, embrace failure as part of the learning process, and gain a deeper understanding of natural processes. It empowers them to build the skills they need to navigate both academic challenges and life’s real-world complexities.

Holistic Development

Forest Schools are designed to support the whole child, encompassing not only academic foundations but also emotional resilience, social skills, and physical development. Activities are designed to stimulate gross and fine motor skills, engage children in collaborative play, and help them develop social and emotional intelligence as they navigate natural settings with multi-aged peers.

This approach is grounded in the understanding that children are complex individuals whose growth spans far beyond just their academic abilities. By immersing them in an environment that emphasizes hands-on, unstructured play, children have the freedom to grow at their own pace, develop their unique talents, and explore new interests that might not be possible in traditional school settings.

By embracing these key principles, Forest Schools provide an alternative learning environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive in harmony with nature, fostering resilient, confident learners who are ready for the next steps in their educational journey.

The Growing Forest School Movement: A Quality Educational Experience

The forest school movement has gained significant traction around the world, with the first forest schools emerging in places like Scandinavia, and now expanding globally. Many families are seeking alternative educational options for their children, and forest kindergartens have become a great way to engage kids in nature-based education.

These schools offer an experiential learning environment that connects children to their natural surroundings, providing them with the freedom to explore and learn through hands-on activities. The immersive outdoor play and learning approach fosters a positive impact on children’s development, especially when it comes to their social-emotional and cognitive growth.

Local nature play groups and local outdoor play groups play a pivotal role in helping children build relationships with their environment. These groups often come together to explore nearby forests, meadows, and parks, following the forest school principles of child-led play, explorers programs, and playful exploration. Many of these programs are designed to encourage children to follow their own interests and learn through unstructured activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

The forest school association has been instrumental in promoting the values of these programs, ensuring that they adhere to high standards for quality and safety. A quality forest school maintains a low child ratio, offering individualized attention and allowing for meaningful connections between the children and their teachers. This setup ensures a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, regardless of their national origin, military status, basis of race, or other personal factors.

As the popularity of nature preschools and forest schools continues to grow, so do the opportunities for families to find the right fit for their children. Many schools offer a simple admissions process that allows parents to learn more about the school program and what makes it unique. This can include details about student enrollment, the selection of volunteers, and how the school fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment for all children.

In addition to regular classes, many forest schools and nature preschools offer summer camps or seasonal programs where children can further explore nature, connect with peers, and dive deeper into their interests. For families who are looking to engage their child in long-term, hands-on learning, these camps are an excellent way to extend the outdoor experience year-round.

For private landowners and educators, supporting the forest school movement can be an exciting and rewarding way to contribute to the community. By offering their land for use in educational programs, these individuals are helping create new opportunities for children to engage with the natural world.

Whether through public schools, independent forest school programs, or local community-based initiatives, the forest school movement provides children with an educational foundation rooted in nature, creativity, and curiosity. As families continue to embrace these nature-based programs, the benefits of outdoor learning are becoming increasingly clear—making it a crucial and impactful option for a child’s early years.

Conclusion

Forest preschools offer an enriching foundation for young learners by connecting them with nature, nurturing their curiosity, and providing opportunities for creative exploration and hands-on learning. These outdoor environments allow children to develop crucial social, emotional, and cognitive skills that extend far beyond traditional classroom settings. Through intentional teaching practices and the freedom to explore, children develop a sense of wonder and a lifelong love for learning, building the confidence they need to succeed in elementary school and beyond.

At Free Range Scholars, we believe in fostering a community where nontraditional learners can come together to reimagine education—one that celebrates creativity, curiosity, and individuality. By embracing the forest school ethos, we support the whole child, cultivating growth in all areas—physical, academic, and emotional—through nature-based education and unstructured play.

It’s time to challenge the status quo and build an education system that works for every child. Together, we can redefine learning and create a future where every child is free to explore and learn on their own terms.

Let’s change the direction of education, together.

Happy Forest Schooling, Free Range Scholars!